Best Student Credit Card?

[Chris Lee]

Hello,

I'm a freshman at UC Santa Cruz and I'm looking into getting a credit card. I currently have a Bank of America Visa Card (not the ATM/check card) with a $700 limit, but I'd like to get another one so I can buy things without having my parents know about it. The bill for this card goes to my home, so my parents would be able to look through my statement and review my purchases.

I'm not currently employed, but I make enough money through ebay, forums, etc. plus allowance from my parents. I'm not planning to go on a spending spree and get myself into debt or anything, but it would be nice to be able to buy things without having to explain things to my parents..

I've seen applications for Citi Platinum Select cards for students, and they offer a 9.99% intro apr, with a 14.74% apr thereafter. Has anyone had any experience with this card? How do I find out what the credit limit would be for this card? Also, is it difficult to get an Amex card? Do Amex cards have preset spending limits? I'm also open to any suggestions for other cards.. I've heard bad things about Capital One, but what exactly can go wrong with a credit card company?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Deeko]

Amex blue is sweet.

 

[Kelvrick]

Citibank is also pretty nice. I have their sony card.

<== monkey dance

 

[Maverick]

Originally posted by: Deeko
Amex blue is sweet.

 

[RichieZ]

Eh I don't know whats so bad about capital one (had it about about 2 yrs now), but then I always pay in full. The one time I had to contest a charge they took care of it right away.

 

[StageLeft]

On the application you can always "indulge" your income too

 

[RossMAN]

I would definitely recommend a CitiBank Credit Card (click College, you have 4 to choose from).

Is your current Bank of America VISA only in your name or did your parents co-sign? If it's in your name only then call their credit card customer service (the phone number is on the back of your credit card) and ask them to change your mailing address to whatever you want (PO Box, work, school, girlfriend, whatever).

If CitiBank approves you for a credit card your credit limit will be determined based on a few variables:
1) Your length of credit history, employment and time at residence.
2) Your debt/income ratio, lower is better.
3) Your credit history, late payments, too many inquiries, etc. are all bad bad things.

 

[Chris Lee]

The card is in my name alone. I wish I could change the billing address.. but my parents would eventually notice.. and they'd probably get a little suspicious. They pay the bill for that card, so I don't really mind.

Also, I applied for Amex blue a little while ago and I was denied.. when should I try again? Does it hurt my credit rating to be denied by a credit card company?

What kind of credit limit would be available to an unemployed full-time student? Is it unrealistic to hope for around $1000?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Chris Lee
The card is in my name alone. I wish I could change the billing address.. but my parents would eventually notice.. and they'd probably get a little suspicious. They pay the bill for that card, so I don't really mind.

Also, I applied for Amex blue a little while ago and I was denied.. when should I try again? Does it hurt my credit rating to be denied by a credit card company?

Then how is applying for another cc going to help matters? Unless your parents aren't going to find out about this new cc

What were the reasons you were declined for the Amex? It could happen again with CitiBank or Capital One or whoever else you decide to apply with.

It's best to wait at least 6 months from the last time you requested a credit limit increase or applied for a new cc.

Whether you get approved or declined for credit doesn't really matter, it shows as an inquiry on your credit bureau. Too many of those is a bad bad thing.

If you don't mind spending $12.95 you can order a copy of your credit report AND get your credit score directly from the credit bureau EquiFax, if you're interested in this click me.

 

[Chris Lee]

Haha.. actually, I wasn't going to tell them about this credit card. I believe the Amex declination letter was very general.. but I think it said something about the overall historical credit-worthiness of my school? But I'm guessing the more realistic reason is that my credit history is just too short.. I think I'll try Citibank for now and reapply for Amex Blue sometime later.

Thanks for all your help RossMAN

 

[ggavinmoss]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Chris Lee
The card is in my name alone. I wish I could change the billing address.. but my parents would eventually notice.. and they'd probably get a little suspicious. They pay the bill for that card, so I don't really mind.

Also, I applied for Amex blue a little while ago and I was denied.. when should I try again? Does it hurt my credit rating to be denied by a credit card company?

Then how is applying for another cc going to help matters? Unless your parents aren't going to find out about this new cc

What were the reasons you were declined for the Amex? It could happen again with CitiBank or Capital One or whoever else you decide to apply with.

It's best to wait at least 6 months from the last time you requested a credit limit increase or applied for a new cc.

Whether you get approved or declined for credit doesn't really matter, it shows as an inquiry on your credit bureau. Too many of those is a bad bad thing.

If you don't mind spending $12.95 you can order a copy of your credit report AND get your credit score directly from the credit bureau EquiFax, if you're interested in this click me.

I just did this today! (I had meant to for awhile... finally did it. I had a FICO score of 727 and no blemishes. That's a relief.)

As far as student cards go, I had AMEX for students (before it became Blue for students) and it served me well.

-geoff

 

[Geekbabe]

Hmmm.. my children are quite fond of the BOM card

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: baffled2
Hmmm.. my children are quite fond of the BOM card

I second the BOM card!

-PAB

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ggavinmoss

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Chris Lee
The card is in my name alone. I wish I could change the billing address.. but my parents would eventually notice.. and they'd probably get a little suspicious. They pay the bill for that card, so I don't really mind.

Also, I applied for Amex blue a little while ago and I was denied.. when should I try again? Does it hurt my credit rating to be denied by a credit card company?

Then how is applying for another cc going to help matters? Unless your parents aren't going to find out about this new cc

What were the reasons you were declined for the Amex? It could happen again with CitiBank or Capital One or whoever else you decide to apply with.

It's best to wait at least 6 months from the last time you requested a credit limit increase or applied for a new cc.

Whether you get approved or declined for credit doesn't really matter, it shows as an inquiry on your credit bureau. Too many of those is a bad bad thing.

If you don't mind spending $12.95 you can order a copy of your credit report AND get your credit score directly from the credit bureau EquiFax, if you're interested in this click me.

I just did this today! (I had meant to for awhile... finally did it. I had a FICO score of 727 and no blemishes. That's a relief.)

As far as student cards go, I had AMEX for students (before it became Blue for students) and it served me well.

-geoff

Congrats and nice credit score, mine will reach the 700's one day.

 

[Chris Lee]

 

[Zebo]

I'm a freshman at UC Santa Cruz and

Try a credit card company with a "good" grade..

 

[Supermercado]

I've got a MasterCard from MBNA. I've never had a problem with it. I think they started me off with a $1000 limit and it's up to $3000 now. Yes, I'm a student, by the way. They have a special card specifically for students, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Storm]

I've used the Citibank Platinum Select card when I was in college and I still use it.. You can always call up and speak with a CSR to have it lowered. Its not that big of a deal and whatever fraudulent charges that appear I've always gotten taken off. So far no problems. Its wierd cuz the CSRs almost seem eager to bring the smack down on companies that give out fraudulent charges. Watch out though cuz sometimes Citibank raises my limit if you use it a lot for me it was $200-300, but they always lowered it when I called back.

 

[edro]

Anyone who has the Citibank Sony card..............have you ever gotten anything from Sony yet? How much do you have to spend? How does the points system work?

I would look it up on their website, but I know they would probably lie on there.

 

[slycat]

remember per my rant before...if u go with Citibank, its gonna be a Mastercard.
I recommend Visa.

 

[Chris Lee]

Hm.. Why would you prefer VISA over MasterCard? Is there a difference? It seems like MasterCard and VISA are always accepted together anyway.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Chris Lee
Hm.. Why would you prefer VISA over MasterCard? Is there a difference? It seems like MasterCard and VISA are always accepted together anyway.

You're right, there's a 99% chance that wherever MC is accepted that they also accept VISA as well. It's personal preference.

I prefer VISA over MC, dunno why I just do. CitiBank is changing ALL of their credit card products to MasterCard.

 

[edro]

Originally posted by: edro13
Anyone who has the Citibank Sony card..............have you ever gotten anything from Sony yet? How much do you have to spend? How does the points system work?

I would look it up on their website, but I know they would probably lie on there.

Bump

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: edro13

Originally posted by: edro13
Anyone who has the Citibank Sony card..............have you ever gotten anything from Sony yet? How much do you have to spend? How does the points system work?

I would look it up on their website, but I know they would probably lie on there.

Bump

First of all WTF are you smoking? Why would Sony/CitiBank lie about their credit card on their website? Are you a conspiracy theory nut?

Here is a review of the CitiBank Sony cc.

CitiBank Sony cc rewards info.

 

[Gunther]

Like others in this thread I would recommend Amex blue for students. I got it without any credit history and no job, don't know why you got denied. I like it a lot because from here you can get the other amex cards really easy. After about a year with the student I got the amex blue regular with no problems which has 9.99 apr, also recently I got the amex starwood card with no probs also. On my blue and starwood I have a 2k limit while on the student I believe its 1k. I have a bofa credit card, but only use that when I HAVE to use visa. Also if you get a new card DO NOT cancel your older cards unless there is like an annual fee or something because it helps your credit rating showing that you have established credit. Oh and I have a fico score of 738.